Troy invy tees off

BRUNSWICK – This weekend is the 71st Country Club of Troy Invitational. The course record on the Walter Travis layout is 63, shot by Eddie Schultz in 1935, playing 63-68. The tournament was not played from 1943-45 and again in ’69, ’71, ’74-’78.

Last year’s champion is James O’Connell who won in a one-hole playoff. He survived two double-bogeys on the back nine Sunday to go wire-to-wire for the three-day event.

O’Connell beat three-time champion Jim Welch of Valatie. Both were 11-over par after the three-day, 54-hole amateur tournament. O’Connell is a former club member now living in North Attleboro, MA. He went to LaSalle Institute and then played and later coached golf at Bryant University in Rhode Island. He is now the CFO for insurance companies for auto dealers in the Boston area.

There is a singles and team competition. The format the singles stroke play is 54-holes played without a handicap. The Elmer R. Thomas Trophy is presented to the tournament champion. The “Quillinan Cup” is given to the lowest scoring junior (those eligible may have not reached their 18th birthday by June 20, 2014). The Pierce H. Russell Cup is given to the lowest scoring senior competitor (those eligible must have reached their 50th birthday by June 20, 2014).

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Awards are also made within each division for top tournament finishes.

Team Competition: 1st Round: 18 holes better ball of partners; 2nd Round: Team Scramble; 3rd Round: Alternate Shot Format – both players hit from the tee, each partner then plays a second shot from where their partners tee shot came to rest; the best ball is then chosen and played alternately into the cup.